24

ELENONR

Many sensations and feelings inhabited me and Ever. After having slept together last night, the boxer's girl had to return home with her parents growing suspicions that their daughter was lying to them.

They felt that our family was falling apart; their son had left home, and not in a pleasant way. It wasn't because he was getting married or moving to another country to study or start a new life. What hurt them was that they couldn't fully accept his choice to become a boxer. They were pained that the years he spent in high school and university didn't appeal to him or convince him to pursue something that didn't pose a threat to his life.

I, their daughter, the baby of the family, the star in their skies, the sunshine of their days, was completely on my brother's side. Lately, I would come home late, was never around, and fiercely defended Michael's reputation without caring about getting into arguments with my mother, the woman I had always been close to as a child.

However, this morning, as soon as I arrived home, I left again. I was in a hurry. I had to spend the morning at the university and work at the library until five o'clock so that I could be present at Zeus's fight at seven in the evening. Today, he would have a very busy day as he dedicated himself to intense training.

I didn't like the idea of him fighting. I worried about him, despite being fully aware that he was a monster in the boxing ring. And, of course, I didn't broach the subject of quitting his profession. I knew perfectly well that he made money from it, and it was his way of sustaining himself and not feeling like a mommy's boy.

We all know Ever; he is closed off and only opens up slowly to his girlfriend at the moment. But he manages perfectly well with what he earns from each fight.

What I disliked the most was that the fight was illegal, which Ever loved because they paid large amounts of dollars to the winner, and out of ten fights, he might win all of them. However, the danger lay here, in these factors that didn't sit well with me. Ever's health was at stake, and at any ambush, the police could raid the venue and arrest him. Above all, I feared that his frustrations would continue to haunt him, preventing him from leaving boxing." "The chaos around me was overwhelming, with people shouting, music blaring, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a questionable crowd. Ever and I shared a long kiss at the entrance, drawing attention from the eclectic mix of individuals in the hideout. It was a place filled with smokers, drug addicts, alcoholics, rapists, and prostitutes, but Ever positioned me where he could keep an eye on me. Thankfully, with Michael away at the university, we could freely display our affection.

We exchanged brief words before the fight, a kiss, and a half-hearted hug. Ever's simple directive, ""Don't talk to any jerks,"" emphasized his protective nature. The bell rang, marking the beginning of the fight, and the first round seemed manageable for Ever. Although he took a few punches, there was no blood on his face.

The second round started, and Ever confidently took the initiative. His opponent, though similar in build, lacked height. I approached Ever, running my hand through his sweaty hair, offering words of encouragement. Some spectators commented that this fight seemed to be taking longer for Ever to win, but I brushed off their remarks, unwavering in my belief that he would emerge victorious.

Ever launched a devastating attack, leaving his opponent disoriented. Despite occasional attempts to appear normal, the opponent's punches lacked strength and coordination. Ever seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful right hook that sent him to the canvas. The referee began the count, but it was evident the opponent couldn't continue. The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee declared the match over.

Amidst the celebration, I rushed into the ring, embracing and kissing Ever. The doctor entered, examining the defeated opponent while Ever checked on him, displaying a rare moment of compassion. As they tried to navigate through the jubilant crowd, Ever suddenly felt someone grab my hand, and in the chaos, he lost sight of me.

Frantically searching for me, Ever's panic intensified, and his heart raced. Amidst the noise, he shouted my name, and as he finally spotted my red hair being carried over someone's shoulder, he knew something was terribly wrong.

""ELEONOR!"" His cry echoed through the chaos, conveying the urgency of the situation. Without hesitation, Ever ran through the crowd, determined to reach me and ensure my safety.